95-627: The Battle Creek Enquirer is a daily newspaper in Battle Creek, Michigan . The newspaper, owned by the Gannett , is the only daily paper serving Calhoun County, Michigan , and parts of four neighboring counties. In the late 1950s, the Enquirer sponsored the George Award, which was meant to recognize civic-minded citizens. Beginning Sept. 25, 2023, the paper began being delivered by
190-434: A high school degree and 21.1% had a bachelor's degree or higher. Of those under 65, 11.2% had a disability and 6.1% lacked health insurance. Median household income in 2020 dollars was $ 42,285, which works out to a $ 25,270 per capita income . 22.7% of the population lives in poverty . Median gross rent was $ 770 and the median value of the houses occupied by people who owned them was $ 91,700. The City of Battle Creek has
285-621: A population density (per square mile) of 1,228.6. 89.0% of those households had a computer and 82.8% had broadband internet connection. The city's racial makeup was 68.2% White , 17.3% African American , 0.6% Native American , 3.7% Asian , 8.1% from two or more races, and 7.9% Hispanic or Latino . The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 7.0% of residents were under the age of 5; 25.8% were under 18; 15.2% were 65 and older. 51.5% of residents were female and 6.6% were foreign-born. 10.8% of people ages 5 and up speak at least one language other than English at home. Of persons 25 and up, 89.9% had
380-402: A 10-round contest here tonight, which ended in a draw. The spectators loudly protested throughout that the men were not fighting, and demanded their money back. Many of them left the hall. The organizers of the fight explained the fiasco by asserting that Jack Johnson's left arm was broken in the third round. There is no confirmation of a report that Jack Johnson had been stabbed and no evidence at
475-612: A 20-round match for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship . Johnson held the title until it was vacated when he won the world heavyweight title from Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia on Boxing Day 1908. His reign of 2,151 days was the third longest in the 60-year-long history of the colored heavyweight title. Only Harry Wills at 3,103 days and Peter Jackson at 3,041 days held the title longer. A three-time colored heavyweight champion, Wills held
570-574: A Battle Creek Unlimited report, the twenty largest employers in the city are: The Battle Creek Japanese School (バトルクリーク補習授業校 Batoru Kurīku Hoshū Jugyō Kō ), a supplementary weekend Japanese school , holds its classes at the Lakeview School District building. In 1980 the Western Michigan University Center for International Programs developed a program for Japanese expatriate K-12 students that
665-462: A car crash in 1946 at the age of 68. He is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. In 2018, Johnson, with some instigation from actor Sylvester Stallone , was formally pardoned by U.S. president Donald Trump . Johnson was born on March 31, 1878, the third child of nine born to Henry and Tina Johnson, former slaves who worked service jobs as a janitor and a dishwasher. His father had served as
760-506: A chance at the title because Johnson maintained that he could make more money fighting white boxers. In August 1913, as Johnson neared the end of his reign as world heavyweight champ, there were rumors that he had agreed to fight Langford in Paris for the title, but it did not happen. Johnson alleged that Langford was unable to raise the $ 30,000 for his guarantee. Because black boxers with the exception of Johnson had been barred from fighting for
855-579: A civilian teamster of the Union's 38th Colored Infantry . He was described by his son as the "most perfect physical specimen that he had ever seen", although Henry had been left with an atrophied right leg from his service in the American Civil War . Growing up in Galveston, Texas , Johnson attended five years of school. As a young man, Johnson was frail, though, like all of his siblings, he
950-502: A commission-manager form of government. Cities that follow this plan of government have an elected commission (or council) that appoints a professionally trained and experienced manager to administer the day-to-day operations of the city and to make recommendations to the city commission. Battle Creek also appoints a City Attorney, who provides legal counsel to the city manager and City Commission. The City Commission makes all policy decisions, including review, revision, and final approval of
1045-481: A fight to a schoolboy again. After Johnson quit school, he began a job working at the local docks. He made several other attempts at working other jobs around town until one day he made his way to Dallas , finding work at the race track exercising horses. Jack stuck with this job until he found a new apprenticeship with a carriage painter by the name of Walter Lewis. Lewis enjoyed watching friends spar, and Johnson began to learn how to box. Johnson later declared that it
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#17327868264691140-404: A lack of skill on the day of the fight. Before the fight, Jeffries remarked, "It is my intention to go right after my opponent and knock him out as soon as possible". While his wife added, "I'm not interested in prizefighting but I am interested in my husband's welfare, I do hope this will be his last fight". Johnson's words were "May the best man win". Racial tension was brewing in the lead up to
1235-699: A last-place finish in 2010, the Bombers went 47–26 in 2011 and won their first NWL championship. It was the first championship in Battle Creek since 2000, when the Michigan Battle Cats won the Midwest League championship. The team's home is C.O. Brown Stadium . In 2011, the team signed a five-year lease, which guarantees the team's ten-year anniversary in Battle Creek in 2017. Actor Tyler Hoechlin , who starred alongside Tom Hanks in
1330-585: A mechanism for southern Whites (and their sympathizers), to fund his school ( the Tuskegee Institute ). W. K. Kellogg had worked for his brother in a variety of capacities at the B.C. Sanitarium. Tired of living in the shadow of his brother John Harvey Kellogg, he struck out on his own, going to the boom-towns surrounding the oilfields in Oklahoma as a broom salesman. Having failed, he returned to work as an assistant to his brother. While working at
1425-415: A ring which was built just for the occasion in downtown Reno, Nevada . Jeffries proved unable to impose his will on the younger champion and Johnson dominated the fight. By the 15th round, after Jeffries had been knocked down twice for the first time in his career, Jeffries' corner threw in the towel to end the fight and prevent Jeffries from having a knockout on his record. Johnson later remarked he knew
1520-475: A victory for racial advancement. Black poet William Waring Cuney later highlighted the black reaction to the fight in his poem "My Lord, What a Morning". Race riots, initiated by whites and blacks, erupted in New York, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Louis, Little Rock and Houston. In all, riots occurred in more than 25 states and 50 cities. At least twenty people were killed in
1615-462: Is based at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium in downtown Battle Creek. The symphony is conducted by Anne Harrigan. It is Michigan's longest-running symphony orchestra. The Brass Band of Battle Creek is composed of 31 brass players and percussionists from around the United States and Europe. "Created in 1989 by brothers Jim and Bill Gray, podiatrists and amateur brass players from Battle Creek, MI,
1710-504: Is the principal city of the Battle Creek metropolitan statistical area , which encompasses all of Calhoun County. Nicknamed "Cereal City", it is best known as the home of WK Kellogg Co and the founding city of Post Consumer Brands . One local legend says Battle Creek was named after an encounter between a federal government land survey party led by Colonel John Mullett and two Potawatomi in March 1824. The two Potawatomi had approached
1805-580: Is the type of prizefighter that is admired by sportsmen. He played fairly at all times and fought fairly. ... What a crafty, powerful, cunning left hand (Johnson) has. He is one of the craftiest, cunningest boxers that ever stepped into the ring. ... They both fought closely all during the 15 rounds. It was just the sort of fight that Jeffries wanted. There was no running or ducking like Corbett did with me in New Orleans (1892). Jeffries did not miss so many blows, because he hardly started any. Johnson
1900-478: Is the undisputed champion of the world. It was a poor fight as fights go, this less than 15-round affair between James J. Jeffries and Jack Johnson. Scarcely has there ever been a championship contest that was so one-sided. All of Jeffries much-vaunted condition amounted to nothing. He wasn't in it from the first bell tap to the last ... The negro had few friends, but there was little demonstration against him. (Spectators) could not help but admire Johnson because he
1995-480: Is water, making Battle Creek the third largest city in Michigan by area, and one of only three incorporated municipalities in the state over 40 sq mi (100 km ) in size. In 1982, at the insistence of Kellogg's , the city annexed Battle Creek Township, nearly doubling the city's population. Kellogg's even went so far as to threaten to move their headquarters if the annexation failed to occur. As of
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#17327868264692090-474: The New York Times ("Pugilists as Race Champions") expressed a concern that the fight would "have the deplorable effect of intensifying racial antagonisms and of making race problems more difficult of solution": If the black man wins, thousands and thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as justifying claims to much more than mere physical equality with their white neighbors. If
2185-630: The Battle Creek Jr. Revolution in 2010. The junior team was sold renamed to the West Michigan Wolves in 2014 before relocating to Lansing in 2017. The Battle Creek Blaze is a not-for-profit, adult football team that plays NFL rules football as a member of the IFL (Interstate Football League). The Blaze organization raises funds and community awareness in the fight against cancer. They are in their sixth season of operation, and won
2280-589: The Mann Act —forbidding one to transport a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes"—a racially motivated charge that embroiled him in controversy for his relationships, including marriages. Sentenced to a year in prison, Johnson fled the country and fought boxing matches abroad for seven years until 1920, when he served his sentence at the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth. Johnson continued taking paying fights for many years, and operated several other businesses, including lucrative endorsement deals. He died in
2375-494: The census of 2000, there were 53,364 people, 21,348 households, and 13,363 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.0 inhabitants per square mile (481.1/km ). There were 23,525 housing units at an average density of 549.3 per square mile (212.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 74.7% White , 17.8% Black or African American , 1.9% Asian , 0.8% Native American , <0.1% Pacific Islander , 2.1% from other races , and 2.7% from two or more races. 4.6% of
2470-580: The 14th round. Johnson did not claim Klondike's unrecognized title. On February 25, 1901, Johnson fought Joe Choynski in Galveston. Choynski, a popular and experienced heavyweight, knocked out Johnson in the third round. Prizefighting was illegal in Texas at the time and they were both arrested. Bail was set at $ 5,000, nearly $ 200,000 in 2023, which neither could afford. The sheriff permitted both fighters to go home at night so long as they agreed to spar in
2565-436: The 1920s) is still in operation. World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson was once arrested here for marrying his White wife and transporting her across state lines. He was detained in Battle Creek, where he visited a former acquaintance, went for a sleigh ride and spent the night at the house of patrolman John Patterson, Battle Creek's first African American police officer. Federal authorities from Chicago took him into custody
2660-727: The BBBC has grown to cult status in Battle Creek, where BBBC concerts are regularly sold out and waiting lists are created weeks in advance." Leilapalooza - The Leila Arboretum Music Festival is a free summer music festival held at the Leila Arboretum. Proceeds benefit the Leila Arboretum Society and Kingman Museum . Battle Creek hosts the annual Michigan High School Athletic Association team wrestling, volleyball , baseball , and softball state championships. The town receives quarterly boosts to its economy from
2755-456: The Century" earned Johnson $ 65,000 (over $ 2.1 million in 2023 dollars) and silenced the critics, who had belittled Johnson's previous victory over Tommy Burns as "empty", claiming that Burns was a false champion since Jeffries had retired undefeated. John L. Sullivan commented after the fight that Johnson won deservedly, fairly and convincingly, The fight of the century is over and a black man
2850-564: The IFL North Division Championship in 2010. The Battle Creek Cereal Killers roller derby team began in 2011. Jack Johnson (boxer) John Arthur Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the " Galveston Giant ", was an American boxer who, at the height of the Jim Crow era , became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). His 1910 fight against James J. Jeffries
2945-456: The U.S. Postal Service instead of by carrier. This article about a Michigan newspaper is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Battle Creek, Michigan Battle Creek is a city in northwestern Calhoun County, Michigan , United States, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. As of the 2020 census , the city had a total population of 52,731. It
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3040-420: The United States . In 1912, Johnson opened a successful and luxurious "black and tan" ( desegregated ) restaurant and nightclub, which in part was run by his wife, a white woman. Major newspapers of the time soon claimed that Johnson was attacked by the government only after he became famous as a black man married to a white woman, and was linked to other white women. Johnson was arrested on charges of violating
3135-634: The annual budget, which is proposed annually by the City Manager. The City Manager serves as an "at-will" employee and they work under an employment contract with the commission. All other city employees, except for the City Attorney's staff, are under the supervision of the City Manager. There are five ward commissioners. Residents cast votes for a ward representative, who must live within the area they are representing, as well as for four at-large commissioners. These candidates may live anywhere in
3230-501: The camp asking for food because they were hungry as the U.S. Army was late delivering supplies promised to them under the 1821 Treaty of Chicago . After a protracted discussion, the Native Americans allegedly tried to take food. One of the surveyors shot and seriously wounded one Potawatomi. Following the encounter, the survey party retreated to Detroit . Early white settlers called the nearby stream Battle Creek River and
3325-446: The city. All commissioners serve two-year terms and all terms begin and end at the same election. The position of mayor was voted on by the electorate until 1961, then was switched to the elected commissioners choosing from amongst themselves as to who would serve as the mayor and vice mayor for the next year. In March 2020, a majority of Battle Creek voters approved an amendment to the city charter to allow residents to directly vote for
3420-405: The city. The population density was 1,228.5 inhabitants per square mile (474.3/km ). There were 24,277 housing units at an average density of 569.7 per square mile (220.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 71.7% White , 18.2% African American , 0.7% Native American , 2.4% Asian , 2.7% from other races , and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.7% of
3515-481: The colored title a record five times. In 1906 Jack Johnson fought Sam Langford. Langford took severe punishment and was knocked down 3 times; however, he lasted the 15-round distance. On November 27, 1945, Johnson finally stepped back into the ring with Joe Jeanette. The 67-year-old Johnson squared off against the 66-year-old Jeanette in an exhibition held at a New York City rally to sell war bonds. Fellow former colored heavyweight champ Harry Wills also participated in
3610-524: The completion of the Erie Canal in New York in 1824. Most settlers chose to locate on the Goguac prairie, which was fertile and easily cultivated. A post office was opened in Battle Creek in 1832 under Postmaster Pollodore Hudson. The first school was taught in a small log house about 1833 or 1834. Asa Langley built the first sawmill in 1837. A brick manufacturing plant, called the oldest enterprise in
3705-535: The core of their philosophical agenda, which was seen as a natural complement to euthenics . The Race Betterment Foundation was one of these organizations. He also supported the " separate but equal " philosophy and invited Booker T. Washington to speak at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in order to raise money. Washington was the author of the speech " The Atlanta Compromise ", which solidified his position of being an accommodationist while providing
3800-717: The critically acclaimed film Road to Perdition , previously played for the Battle Creek Bombers. The Michigan Battle Cats / Battle Creek Yankees / Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were a Class A minor league baseball team that played in the Midwest League from 1995 through 2006. The team's home was C.O. Brown Stadium . The Battle Creek Crunch were a member of the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL), that began play in 2006. They played one season in Battle Creek before ceasing operations due to financial trouble. The team's home
3895-448: The current colored heavyweight champ that he gave the title shot to. Instead, Johnson chose to take on Battling Jim Johnson , a lesser-known boxer who in 1910 had lost to Langford and had a draw and loss via KO to Sam McVey, the former colored champ. Battling Jim fought former colored champ Joe Jeanette four times between July 19, 1912, and January 21, 1913, and lost all four fights. The only fighter of note who he did beat during that period
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3990-476: The dramatization of rivalries, a championship contest between an iconic representative of the white race and the most notorious [black fighter] was a gold mine". Jeffries mostly remained hidden from media attention until the day of the fight, while Johnson soaked up the spotlight. John L. Sullivan , who made boxing championships a popular and esteemed spectacle, stated that Johnson was in such good physical shape compared to Jeffries that he would only lose if he had
4085-492: The early history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church . It was the site of a Protestant church founding convention in 1863. The denomination's first hospital, college, and publishing office would also be constructed in the city. When the hospital and publishing office burned down in 1902, the church elected to decentralize, and most of its institutions were relocated. The first Adventist church (rebuilt in
4180-497: The exhibition. Johnson's efforts to win the world heavyweight title were initially thwarted, as at the time world heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries refused to face him, and retired instead. However, Johnson did fight former champion Bob Fitzsimmons in July 1907, and knocked him out in two rounds. Johnson finally won the world heavyweight title on December 26, 1908, a full six years after lightweight champion Joe Gans became
4275-590: The fans who flock there to follow their teams. Each year, Battle Creek hosts the Sandy Koufax 13S World Series , for 13-year-old baseball players. In August 2010, Battle Creek was host to the eighth edition of the International H.K.D. Games. The Battle Creek Battle Jacks (formerly Bombers) are a collegiate baseball team, a member of the Northwoods League , who began play in 2007. After
4370-459: The fight and to prevent any harm from coming to either boxer, guns were prohibited within the arena along with the sale of alcohol and anyone who was under the effects of alcohol. Apples and all other potential weapons were barred. Behind the racial attitudes which were being instigated by the media was a major investment in gambling for the fight, with 10–7 odds in favor of Jeffries. The fight took place on July 4, 1910, in front of 20,000 people, at
4465-461: The fight triggered race riots that evening—the Fourth of July —all across the United States, from Texas and Colorado to New York and Washington, D.C. Johnson's victory over Jeffries had dashed white dreams of finding a "great white hope" to defeat him. Many whites felt humiliated by the defeat of Jeffries. Black Americans, on the other hand, were jubilant and celebrated Johnson's great victory as
4560-528: The fight was broken up and moved to the beach, where Johnson won his first fight and a prize of one dollar and fifty cents. Johnson made his debut as a professional boxer on November 1, 1898, in Galveston, when he knocked out Charley Brooks in the second round of a 15-round bout, billed for "The Texas State Middleweight Title". In his third pro fight on May 8, 1899, he faced " Klondike " ( John W. Haynes, or Haines ), an African American heavyweight known as "The Black Hercules", in Chicago. Klondike (so called as he
4655-414: The fight was over in the 4th round when he landed an uppercut and saw the look on Jeffries face, stating, "I knew what that look meant. The old ship was sinking". Afterwards, Jeffries was humbled by the loss and what he had seen of Johnson in their match. "I could never have whipped Johnson at my best", Jeffries said. "I couldn't have hit him. No, I couldn't have reached him in 1,000 years". The "Fight of
4750-505: The fight. Two weeks after the match former President Theodore Roosevelt , an avid boxer and fan, wrote an article for The Outlook in which he supported banning not just moving pictures of boxing matches, but a complete ban on all prize fights in the US. He cited the "crookedness" and gambling that surrounded such contests and that moving pictures have "introduced a new method of money getting and of demoralization". The controversy surrounding
4845-582: The film motivated Congress to ban distribution of all prizefight films across state lines in 1912; the ban was lifted in 1940. In 2005, the film of the Jeffries–Johnson "Fight of the Century" was entered into the United States National Film Registry as being worthy of preservation. The six fights for which the major films were made, starring Johnson, were The color bar remained in effect even under Johnson. Once he
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#17327868264694940-571: The first African American boxing champion. Johnson's victory over the reigning world champion, Canadian Tommy Burns , at the Sydney Stadium in Australia, came after following Burns around the world for two years and taunting him in the press for a match. Burns agreed to fight Johnson only after promoters guaranteed him $ 30,000. The fight lasted fourteen rounds before being stopped by the police in front of over 20,000 spectators, and Johnson
5035-417: The heavyweight championship of the world" and called promoters to bid for the right to orchestrate the event. In early December 1909, Johnson and Jeffries selected a bid from the nation's top boxing promoters — Tex Rickard and John Gleason. The bid guaranteed a purse of $ 101,000 (equivalent to $ 3,425,000 in 2023) to be divided 75 percent to the winner and 25 percent to the loser, as well as two-thirds of
5130-482: The heavyweight championship, Johnson's refusal to fight African-Americans offended the African-American community since the opportunity to fight top white boxers was rare. Jeanette criticized Johnson, saying, "Jack forgot about his old friends after he became champion and drew the color line against his own people." When Johnson finally agreed to take on a black opponent in late 1913, it was not Sam Langford
5225-519: The jail cell. Large crowds gathered to watch the sessions. After 23 days in jail, their bail was reduced to an affordable level and a grand jury refused to indict either man. Johnson later stated that he learned his boxing skills during that jail time. The two would remain friends. Johnson attested that his success in boxing came from the coaching he received from Choynski. The aging Choynski saw natural talent and determination in Johnson and taught him
5320-548: The mayor; the first general election for mayor, since 1961, was held in November 2020. The mayor presides over the commission meetings and appoints commissioners and residents to special committees. He may also form special committees to explore community challenges or potential policies. The vice mayor stands in if the mayor is unavailable. As of 2017 , the city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents. As of October 2023 , according to
5415-686: The native name has "nothing to do with blood or battle". In about 1774, the Potawatomi and the Ottawa Native American tribes formed a joint village near the future Battle Creek, Michigan. The first permanent European settlements in Battle Creek Township, after the removal of the Potawatomi to a reservation, began about 1831. Westward migration from New York and New England had increased to Michigan following
5510-420: The negro loses, the members of his race will be taunted and irritated [provoked] because of their champion's downfall. As title holder, Johnson thus had to face a series of fighters each billed by boxing promoters as a "great white hope", often in exhibition matches . In 1909, he beat Tony Ross, Al Kaufman, and the middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel . Ketchel and Johnson were friends. The match with Ketchel
5605-455: The next day. The city was noted for its focus on health reform during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Battle Creek Sanitarium was founded by The Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Dr. John Harvey Kellogg . In addition to some of his sometimes bizarre treatments that were featured in the movie The Road to Wellville , Kellogg also funded organizations that promoted eugenics theories at
5700-453: The nuances of defense, stating: "A man who can move like you should never have to take a punch". Johnson beat former black heavyweight champion Frank Childs on October 21, 1902. Childs had twice won the black heavyweight title and continued to claim that he was the true black champion despite having lost his title in a bout with George Byers and then, after retaking the title from Byers, losing it again to Denver Ed Martin . He also claimed
5795-419: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In the 21,348 households 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
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#17327868264695890-429: The population. In the 21,118 households 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
5985-408: The revenues collected from the sales of the right to film the fight (each boxer received one third of the equity rights). Although it was well understood that a victory for Jeffries was likely to be more profitable than a victory for Johnson, there were no doubts that either way the event would produce record profits. Legal historian Barak Orbach argues that in "an industry that promoted events through
6080-415: The ringside of such an accident. During the first three rounds he was obviously playing with his opponent. After that it was observed that he was only using his right hand. When the fight was over he complained that his arm had been injured. Doctors who made an examination, certified to a slight fracture of the radius of the left arm. The general opinion is that his arm was injured in a wrestling match early in
6175-488: The riots and hundreds more were injured. The Johnson–Jeffries Fight film received more public attention in the United States than any other film to date and for the next five years, until the release of The Birth of a Nation . In the United States, many states and cities banned the exhibition of the Johnson–Jeffries film. The movement to censor Johnson's victory took over the country within three days after
6270-480: The sanitarium. Along with some investors, he built a factory to satisfy the demand for his " corn flakes ". It was during this time of going their separate ways for good that Dr. John Harvey Kellogg sued his brother for copyright infringement. The U.S. Supreme court ruled in W.K. Kellogg's favor, due to the greater sales and public profile of W.K. Kellogg's company. Inspired by Kellogg's innovation, C. W. Post invented Grape-Nuts and founded his own cereal company in
6365-407: The sanitariums' laboratory, W.K. spilled liquefied cornmeal on a heating device that cooked the product and rendered it to flakes. He tasted the flakes and added milk to them. He was able to get his brother to allow him to give some of the product to some of the patients at the sanitarium, and the patients' demand for the product exceeded his expectations to the point that W.K made the decision to leave
6460-578: The school systems, and only a few Blacks held mid-level manager posts in the local corporate sector. The Federal government sector was better at the Federal Center, and less so at the local Veterans' Administration Hospital. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 43.73 square miles (113.26 km ), of which 42.61 square miles (110.36 km ) is land and 1.12 square miles (2.90 km )
6555-536: The sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro". He had not fought in six years and he also had to lose well over 100 pounds to get back to his championship fighting weight. Efforts to persuade Jeffries to "retrieve the honor of the white race" began immediately after the Burns–Johnson fight. Initially Jeffries had no interest in the fight, being quite happy as an alfalfa farmer. On October 29, 1909, Johnson and Jeffries signed an agreement to "box for
6650-526: The state of Michigan, with 358. Nick Buckley wrote in the Battle Creek Enquirer : "The 2020 Census is critical for Battle Creek. Falling below the 50,000-resident threshold would mean a change from "urbanized area" to "urban cluster" and a loss of federal entitlement funding." Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, Battle Creek's population grew from 52,347 to 52,731. There were 20,690 households and 2.40 residents per house, giving Battle Creek
6745-420: The title for a total of 3,351 days. Johnson defended the colored heavyweight title 12 times, which was second only to the 26 times Wills defended the title. While colored champ, he defeated colored ex-champs Denver Ed Martin and Frank Childs again and beat future colored heavyweight champs Sam McVey three times and Sam Langford once. He beat Langford on points in a 15-rounder and never gave him another shot at
6840-521: The title from McVey in a 49-round bout on April 17 of that year in Paris for a $ 6,000 purse. Sam Langford subsequently claimed the title during Jeanette's reign after Johnson refused to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against him. Eighteen months later, Jeanette lost the title to Langford. During his reign as world champion, Johnson never again fought Jeanette, despite numerous challenges, and avoided Langford, who won
6935-450: The title, when he was either colored champ or the world heavyweight champ. Johnson fought Joe Jeanette a total of seven times, all during his reign as colored champion before he became the world's heavyweight champion, winning four times and drawing twice (three of the victories and one draw were newspaper decisions ). In their first match in 1905, they had fought to a draw, but in their second match on November 25, 1905, Johnson lost as he
7030-422: The town took its name from that. Another folk etymology is attributed to the local river, which was known as Waupakisco by Native Americans. The Waupakisco or Waupokisco was supposedly a reference to a battle or fight fought between indigenous tribes before the arrival of Europeans. However, Virgil J. Vogel, professor emeritus of history and social science at Harry S. Truman College in Chicago, believes
7125-565: The town. Battle Creek has been nicknamed "the Cereal City." In the turbulent 1960s, Battle Creek was not immune to the racial issues of the day. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke here, as did Sen. Hubert Humphrey , President Lyndon B. Johnson , and Heavyweight Champion of the world Muhammad Ali . African Americans were subjected to " stop and frisk " procedures while walking, and housing covenants were in full force. No Blacks worked in
7220-502: The township, was established in 1840 by Simon Carr and operated until 1903. The township was established by act of the legislature in 1839. In the antebellum era , the city was a major stop on the Underground Railroad , used by fugitive slaves to escape to freedom in Michigan and Canada . It was the chosen home of noted abolitionist Sojourner Truth after her escape from slavery. Battle Creek figured prominently in
7315-569: The unrecognized black heavyweight title as well. Johnson won by a TKO in the 12th round of the scheduled 20-rounder, when Childs's seconds signaled he could not go on, claiming a dislocated elbow. The defeat by Johnson forever ended Childs's pretensions to the black heavyweight crown. By 1903, though Johnson's official record showed him with nine wins against three losses, five draws and two no contests, he had won at least 50 fights against both white and black opponents. Johnson won his first title on February 3, 1903, beating Denver Ed Martin on points in
7410-516: The world heavyweight championship. While the Johnson v. Johnson fight had been billed as a world heavyweight title match, in many ways, it resembled an exhibition. A sportswriter from the Indianapolis Star at the fight reported that the crowd became unruly when it was apparent that neither boxer was putting up a fight. Jack Johnson, the heavyweight champion, and Battling Jim Johnson, another colored pugilist, of Galveston, Texas, met in
7505-611: Was Kellogg Arena . The Battle Creek Belles , a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League , played two seasons, 1951 and 1952, before relocating to Muskegon . The Battle Creek Revolution were a member of the All American Hockey League , a low-level professional minor league, from 2008 to 2011. The team's home was Revolution Arena . The organization also started a junior hockey team called
7600-439: Was $ 35,491, and the median income for a family was $ 43,564. Males had a median income of $ 36,838 versus $ 26,429 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,424. About 10.7% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 52,347 people, 21,118 households, and 12,898 families residing in
7695-420: Was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female. As of April 2013, Battle Creek had the fifth largest Japanese national population in
7790-402: Was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04. In the city, 27.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males. The median income for a household in the city
7885-457: Was a huge influence in Jack's life. When Jack was younger he was known as a coward, and his sister Lucy would protect him. After Jack came home bruised and crying, his mom warned him that if he were to get beat at school, then she would whip him worse at home. Her method was to scare him and for him to learn the lesson that he needed to protect himself. The lesson was received by Jack, as he never lost
7980-412: Was arrested for brawling with a man named Davie Pearson, a "grown and toughened" man who accused Johnson of turning him in to the police over a game of craps . When both of them were released from jail, they met at the docks, and Johnson beat Pearson before a large crowd. Johnson then fought in a summer boxing league against a man named John "Must Have It" Lee. Because prizefighting was illegal in Texas,
8075-474: Was considered a rarity, like the gold in the Klondike ), who had declared himself the "Black Heavyweight Champ", won on a technical knockout (TKO) in the fifth round of a scheduled six-rounder. The two fighters met twice again in 1900, with the first rematch resulting in a draw, as both fighters were on their feet at the end of 20 rounds. Johnson won the third fight by a TKO when Klondike refused to come out for
8170-463: Was disqualified in the second round of a scheduled six-round fight. Johnson continued to claim the title because of the disqualification. After Johnson became the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World on December 26, 1908, his World Colored Heavyweight Championship was vacated. Jeanette fought Sam McVey for the title in Paris on February 20, 1909, and was beaten, but he later took
8265-433: Was dubbed the "fight of the century". Johnson defeated Jeffries, who was white, triggering dozens of race riots across the U.S. According to filmmaker Ken Burns , "for more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African American on Earth". He is widely regarded as one of the most influential boxers in history. Transcending boxing, he became part of the culture and history of racism in
8360-698: Was expected to work. Although Johnson grew up in the South, he said that segregation was not an issue in the somewhat secluded city of Galveston, as everyone living in the 12th Ward was poor and went through the same struggles. Johnson remembers growing up with a "gang" of white boys, in which he never felt victimized or excluded. Remembering his childhood, Johnson said: "As I grew up, the white boys were my friends and my pals. I ate with them, played with them and slept at their homes. Their mothers gave me cookies, and I ate at their tables. No one ever taught me that white men were superior to me." Jack Johnson's mother Tina
8455-444: Was named the winner. After Johnson's victory over Burns, racial animosity among whites ran so deep that some, including renowned American author Jack London , called for a " Great White Hope " to take the title away from Johnson. While Johnson was heavyweight champion, he was covered more in the press than all other notable black men combined. The lead-up to the bout was peppered with racist press against Johnson. An editorial in
8550-416: Was on top of him all the time.... (Johnson) didn't get gay at all with Jeffries in the beginning, and it was always the white man who clinched, but Johnson was very careful, and he backed away and took no chances, and was good-natured with it all ... The best man won, and I was one of the first to congratulate him, and also one of the first to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the beaten man. The outcome of
8645-676: Was originally thought to have been an exhibition, and in fact it was fought by both men that way, until the 12th round, when Ketchel threw a right to Johnson's head, knocking him down. Quickly regaining his feet, and very annoyed, Johnson immediately dashed straight at Ketchell and threw a single punch, an uppercut, a punch for which he was famous, to Ketchel's jaw, knocking him out. The punch knocked out Ketchell's front teeth; Johnson can be seen on film removing them from his glove, where they had been embedded. In 1910, former undefeated heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson, saying "I am going into this fight for
8740-615: Was sponsored by Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU); the classes were held in the company facility at Fort Custer Industrial Park. FM radio stations that originate or can be heard over the air in Battle Creek: AM radio stations that originate or can be heard over the air in Battle Creek: Battle Creek is home to the Music Center, which serves South Central Michigan. The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra
8835-596: Was thanks to Lewis that he became a boxer. At 16, Johnson moved to New York City and found living arrangements with Barbados Joe Walcott , a welterweight fighter from the West Indies. Johnson again found work exercising horses for the local stable, until he was fired for exhausting a horse. On his return to Galveston, he was hired as a janitor at a gym owned by German-born heavyweight fighter Herman Bernau. Johnson eventually saved enough money to buy boxing gloves, sparring every chance he got. At one point, Johnson
8930-489: Was the future colored champ Big Bill Tate , whom he KO-ed in the second round of a scheduled 10-round bout. It was Tate's third pro fight. In November 1913, the International Boxing Union had declared the world heavyweight title held by Jack Johnson to be vacant. The fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, was held on December 19, 1913, in Paris. It was the first time in history that two blacks had fought for
9025-433: Was the world's heavyweight champ, Johnson did not fight a black opponent for the first five years of his reign. He denied matches to black heavyweights Joe Jeanette , one of his successors as colored heavyweight champ, Sam Langford , who beat Jeanette for the colored title and the young Harry Wills , who was colored heavyweight champ during the last year of Johnson's reign as world's heavyweight champ. Blacks were not given
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